so i have a samsung syncmaster 226bw (22") lcd monitor to run as an external monitor on my toshiba laptop.

the monitor's native resolution is 1680x1050.

the laptop's graphics card is an intel 945GM express chipset

i've installed the latest drivers for the graphics card and monitor. however, i still can't run or see the option to choose the native resolution.

by the way, i'm connected via analog since the laptop doesn't have an option for digital.

i only have the following options:

800x600
1024x768
1280x1024
1600x1200
1920x1440
2048x1536
(anything above 1280x1024 i get an error message saying it's above the native resolution)

so...what can i do?

i was afraid the graphics card doesn't support 1680x1050, but i don't think that's the case since i've read of others online with the same graphics card and able to run the native resolution.

i've tried playing with the settings in display properties and intel graphics media but no luck.

thanks.

 

Sometimes monitors have different resolution capabilities based on which type of connection you are using (analog vs. digital). Also, there may be a checkbox with the option "only allow resolutions that the monitor can handle" or something like that. You can try to uncheck that box and then manually select the resolution you want.

 

thanks.

yea, i did uncheck the box. that's how i have the options now for resolutions above 1280x1024.

i'm currently using 1280x1024 but everything's kind of stretched or distorted.

 

What OS are you running? XP?

Are you mirroring your displays, or are you extending onto the other monitor? If you are mirroring, you will probably be limited to 4:3 resolutions.

 

i'm running xp.

and i'm just using a single display. so i'm only using the lcd.

 

How did you turn off the display on the laptop? By using the function keys?

 

that and also in the intel graphics display, i selected "monitor" under "single display"

 

Do you have the "Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile" installed? I have a tab for it in the "Advanced" section of the "Settings" tab.

Try looking for it here LINK if you do not. It might help...

 

yup...

 

Depending on which monitor is considered my "Primary Device" determines what resolutions are available to me. Also, if you choose to "Extend Desktop" you should be able to independently be able to choose resolutions for the two monitors.

 

Try updating graphics drivers.

 

so do you have your notebook monitor or extended monitor as your primary?

also i read somewhere that i need to install a monitor inf that will give windows information about the monitor and its natural resolution.

anyone know anything about that?

 

yea i've already done that.

i uninstalled what i had. restarted. installed. restarted. still no luck.

 

Assuming you're talking windows -

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/do...ype=DR&vType=R

 

Hmmm, I see the "Single Display" setting now...

It is hard for me to replicate as I don't have a widescreen monitor...

Most monitors are plug and play so should tell the OS what resolutions are available to it. You should have gotten a disc (or disk) that has the drivers (with the .inf) with the monitor. If not you can download them from the monitor manufacturer.

 

yea i reinstalled the monitor drivers and files. still not working.

i've come to two conclusions:

1. my monitor is a defect or
2. maybe i need a new graphics card.

 

Many integrated graphics cards cannot display decent resolutions on two displays at once. if you disable the laptop monitor, you should be able to make the vga/dvi port output that resolution. i have run into this problem more than once, dissapointing really

 

i see. but even when i disable the laptop monitor and only use the lcd, i still can't get the native resolution.

stupid question: is the chipset driver the same as the graphics driver?

 

Yes, they should be the same thing.

Try this. Go into your display properties and in the settings tab, click on the "Advanced" button. Under the "Adapter" tab, click on the "List all modes" button and see if your resolution is listed. If it is, select it and click "Ok" twice.